His wife Anna told the Standard: “We are devastated by all of this. As far as we are aware he didn’t have any trouble with anybody.

“He was very loving. He meant so much to so many people and he always had time for everyone. He wouldn’t see anyone go hungry, his heart was always in the right place.”

His cousin Jane Moore went on: “He was the heartbeat of the family, a loving grandfather, and father. He understood the value of family, I think every member of his family felt that and we meant everything to him.”

“He was charming, a really positive person. The world is a sadder place without him.”

Bouquets of flowers left in tribute at the scene Picture: Lucy Young

The reggae-loving DJ, who had nine children and 13 grandchildren, came to the UK from St Lucia in the 1960s. He had been a popular figure in the music scene, putting on concerts and DJ nights as a music promoter, and was due to start a new job as a delivery driver today.

Witnesses today told how Mr Charlery had briefly entered the Mau Mau bar to speak to a friend on the night he was killed.

One witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Tony walked into the bar, he was here for seconds, said ‘hello’ to his mate and left. Four minutes later he was knifed.

“It was Carnival last weekend so Friday was a really quiet night. There were hardly any people around in the street.

“The bar had just closed at 11.45pm and the lights were on.

Victim:Tony Charlery, 59.

“One of the doormen was outside and said ‘someone’s just been stabbed’. He saw a guy acting funny in the street so he went up to check on him.

“He asked him if he was alright. When he got there he had his hands around his neck, there was blood spraying out of his fingers and he couldn’t talk. He was a dead man.

“Apparently these two guys, just wearing normal clothes, not all black or in hoods or anything, walked right behind him and got him around the neck.

“They stuck the knife right in. They were executing him. It would have been a serious wound. Then they just walked off.

“They knew who they were after. He was a target.”

Another witness described how he had been standing just metres from Mr Charlery when he was attacked.

The man, 52, said: “The way it happened they must have targeted him. It was like an execution. I didn’t hear anything. There wasn’t a fight, an altercation. I saw out of the corner of my eye, one of them hit out, like he was throwing a punch.

“I don’t think he knew at first he had been stabbed, but there was blood gushing out. His hand went to his neck. He must have stood there for a few minutes, before he fell to the floor.”

A cyclist stopped and had tried to tie part of a ripped tshirt around his neck to stem the flow of blood but he died minutes later.

The man had left the Mau Mau bar on Portobello road when he was stabbed Picture: google street view

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: “Tony received the fatal wound as he tried to run away from his attackers.

“As I believe the two suspects to be local men, I especially appeal to the Notting Hill community for help.”

A police spokesman said initial investigations had not established a clear motive for the attack but it “certainly appears” he had been targeted.

Detectives are also investigating the possibility the murder was a chance attack after an encounter in the street.

DCI Nicola Wall said the victim was attacked moments after he left the bar and walked along the street a few paces.

She said : “He appears to ahve gone ot the bar to meet someone. He goes inside for a few minutes and then leaves. There are quite a few people hanging about on the pavement and as he walks past them something takes place. He tries to run away but two men run afatre him and he is attacked in the middle of the street.”

Detectives are examining CCTV images from cameras in the street.

A spokesman for Mau Mau said: “We would like to be clear in saying that this incident had nothing to do with Mau Mau Bar, aside from happening opposite our venue.

“We are deeply saddened by the events that took place and we are doing everything in our power to support the Met police in their investigation. Our philosophy is always one of peace and events like this remind us that we must look out for each other.”

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call the incident room at Putney on 020 8785 8963. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.